SCAS Announces Meeting to Discuss New Rulings

Columbia, SC- October 13, 2014- Autism Speaks along with theSouth Carolina Autism Society, the ARC of South Carolina, and Family Connection SC invites everyone to an informational meeting about new rulings on Sunday, October 19th. New rulings and amendments to Ryan’s Law, Medicaid coverage for treatment of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), and other issues related to autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities will be discussed.The meeting will take place from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Autism Academy of South Carolina, which is located at 1505 Blanding Street (corner of Bull and Blanding) in downtown Columbia. Childcare will be provided, but spots are limited, so please RSVP if you need childcare by clicking on this link http://goo.gl/IEPfbk.

“In response to increased interest in services available to children with ASD, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently issued a ruling that autism therapies including ABA Therapy must be covered under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefit,” said Kim Thomas, president and CEO of the South Carolina Autism Society.

Thomas said this new ruling will have a major impact on our state.

“Families affected by autism are going to be thrilled about this ruling and the proposed changes to Ryan’s Law,” she said. “They will no longer have to wait for years to get therapy for their children. We are excited to share this information with the families in our community that are affected by autism spectrum disorders.”